The Latest: Democrat says recount delays inevitable outcome

FILE - This combination of file photos show U.S. Rep. Bruce Poliquin in 2017, left, and state Rep. Jared Golden in 2018, right, in Maine. Golden challenged Poliquin for the 2nd District Congressional seat in the November 2018 general election. Golden, who finished behind Republican U.S. Rep. Poliquin in the first round of balloting in Maine's new voting system, came from behind to flip the U.S. House seat representing one of two congressional districts in the state, election officials said Thursday, Nov 15, 2018. (AP Photos/Robert F. Bukaty, File)

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — The Latest on the recount in Maine’s 2nd Congressional District (all times local): 7:15 p.m. The Democratic winner in a Maine congressional race says Republican Rep. Bruce Poliquin is within his…

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — The Latest on the recount in Maine’s 2nd Congressional District (all times local):

7:15 p.m.

The Democratic winner in a Maine congressional race says Republican Rep. Bruce Poliquin is within his right to request a recount. But Jared Golden also says that “dragging this process out only hurts the people we were elected to serve.”

A spokesman for Poliquin suggested there’s distrust in the “artificial intelligence” used in the ranked-choice computer algorithm. The spokesman says there will be “a traditional ballot recount conducted by real people.”

The recount is expected to take about a month, meaning there will be a race to ensure it’s completed before the new Congress is seated.

Poliquin had the most first-round votes on Election Day, but his lead didn’t hold up after additional tabulations under Maine’s new ranked-choice voting system. Golden emerged victorious after two trailing candidates were eliminated and their supporters’ second choices were reallocated.

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4:30 p.m.

Republican U.S. Rep. Bruce Poliquin has requested a recount in Maine’s historic election in which his Democratic opponent won, thanks to ranked balloting.

The recount, formally requested by Poliquin on Monday, is expected to take about a month, meaning there will be a race to ensure it’s completed before Democrat Jared Golden is seated on Jan. 3.

Officials say the recount will be more laborious than a traditional election because candidates are ranked on the ballots. State Police will be tasked with collecting, delivering and guarding the ballots.

Poliquin had the most first-round votes on Election Day but his lead didn’t hold up after an additional round under ranked-choice voting.

Golden emerged victorious after two trailing candidates were eliminated and their supporters’ second-choices were reallocated.